The FDI @FloridaDebate

A child’s ZIP code should never determine whether they get the opportunity to find their voice. Grateful to Sen. @jasonbrodeur, Rep. David Smith, and @erikaboothFL for investing in both @SeminoleState and @FloridaDebate, in the hands that will build Florida’s future and the voices that will lead it. Proud of what this means for students, educators, families, and communities across our state.

Seminole State College @SeminoleState

a day ago

Today, we welcomed Sen. @jasonbrodeur and Reps. David Smith and @erikaboothFL to present $13M in state funding for Seminole State and the Florida Debate Initiative. We are grateful for this investment in workforce training and civic education that will shape Florida's future.

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Florida is tackling this challenge at the root by investing in civics education through speech and debate. The answer to bad ideas isn’t less speech. It’s better speech, stronger critical thinking, and greater civility. Through competition, students learn how to defend their beliefs, challenge opposing ideas, listen with respect, and disagree without dehumanizing one another. Grateful to see @ErikaDonalds leading this important conversation on the national stage. At @FloridaDebate and @civicsanddebate, we’re helping build a generation of informed, confident citizens ready to lead, serve, and strengthen Florida and our republic. 🇺🇸🐊

Erika Donalds @ErikaDonalds

3 days ago

An alarming number of college students say physical violence is justified to stop speech they think is hateful. That is the DIRECT RESULT of pure indoctrination in our education system. It’s why we must carry forward @charliekirk11’s legacy of defending free speech and remind

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Pro Camp applications are NOW OPEN for the 2026-2027 school year. Apply today for this varsity-level series that will strengthen your speech and debate skills, build your network, and train with the top speech and debate coaches in the country. Apply now at floridadebate.org!

Game on for the new school year! 🏆 We're so ready to be back. Get your calendar locked and loaded with all our events for the year — plus, know exactly when applications drop for every FDI program so you never miss your shot to compete. Check the full calendar today at floridadebate.org/upcoming

If Netflix ever did a documentary about the importance of speech and debate, we’d have a lot to say!

FCDI Team Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026–2027 school year! All new and returning teams must complete the updated registration process to participate this season. Register today to secure your team’s spot and prepare for another exciting year of speech and debate! Thinking about starting a new team at your school? We would love to welcome you to the FCDI community. Our team is ready to help you get started. VisitFloridaDebate.orgto register your returning team or begin the process of launching a new one.

Congratulations to Dr. @HenmackIII on his unanimous appointment as Florida’s next Commissioner of Education! Dr. Mack brings a tremendous amount of experience in education, workforce development, and public service to this important role. On behalf of the Florida Debate Initiative, we look forward to working with him as he continues expanding opportunities for Florida’s students and supporting educators across our state. -Abraham López @FloridaDebate president and the entire board.

Henry Mack @HenmackIII

3 weeks ago

Honored to be appointed Florida’s next Commissioner of Education! Thank you @GovRonDeSantis and the State Board for your trust and leadership. Florida has built a national model—now we accelerate: stronger fundamentals, more choice, expanded career pathways, education for

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Debate Time! Is ice cream better in a cone or a cup? 🍦 Choose your side and defend your answer. 👇 Team Cone or Team Cup?

Join our team TODAY! We are hiring for several positions within the Florida Debate Initiative. Are you passionate about helping students build foundation skills for their future through speech and debate? Swipe to view all open positions! Join the cause and view our open positions at floridadebate.org/jobs.

Communication and confidence are foundational to success later in life, and speech and debate helps students build these skills now to prepare for the future. This year's summer camp attendees expanded their skill sets, connected with peers, and started their path to success. Learn more about how your student can join us next year at floridadebate.org.

Pick a number... then swipe! 👉 Whatever event you land on is the one you have to practice. Comment below which one you got!

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Our social media team is on summer vacation, but here’s a screen recording of their camera roll… Are we doing this right?

Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE summer and all that it brings (Summer Camp, Speech and Debate Learning Retreats, Salute to Service), but there’s just something about debate season… 🩵🎤

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Florida Speech and Debate Summer Camp is THE place to be for an unforgettable summer. It is where big fun and even bigger skills collide! This year's campers brought the energy, soaked up the Florida sunshine, made lifelong friends, and walked away with speech and debate techniques they'll carry forever. Every single day was packed with the kind of memories our campers just can't stop talking about!

250 years strong. 🇺🇸 As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we're reminded of what makes America truly great: The dream that unites us all. At FDI, that dream drives our mission every single day. Discover the American Dream Debate at floridadebate.org/american-dream.

The speeches have been read, white and blue and the votes are in! 🇺🇸 This year, as our great nation proudly celebrates 250 years of American freedom, we held a speech contest in honor of the U.S.A. and the enduring ideals that make her shine. The talent, passion, and patriotism on display were nothing short of inspiring. Congratulations to our America 250 Speech Contest First Place Winners: ⭐️ Grades 3–5 Division: Nina Dunn, Valley Ridge Academy ⭐️ Grades 6–7 Division: Shreehari Gopinath, Sanford Middle School ⭐️ Grade 8 Division: Sahaj Kalia, Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development School These young voices represent the very best of America's future. They give us every reason to believe our next 250 years will be just as great. Read the full press release at floridadebate.org/post/florida-d…

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While High School Speech and Debate Summer Camp is in full swing, let's take a look back at all the adventures our campers had at Middle School Speech and Debate Summer Camp in Fruitland Park, Florida.

A historic investment for Florida’s students. Thank you, @GovRonDeSantis, for signing the budget and continuing to invest in civics, speech, and debate education across our state. With $2.4 million for the Florida Debate Initiative and $1.5 million for the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, this budget represents a historic $3.9 million investment in programs that help students think critically, build leadership skills, and speak with confidence about the critical issues shaping their future. We are deeply grateful to Senator @Jason Brodeur, Representative @Erika Booth, and the entire Florida Legislature for their leadership and unanimous support during the 2026 session. Every classroom, every tournament, every coach, and every student reminds us why this work matters. Florida’s students are the leaders of tomorrow, and this investment helps ensure students discover what they are capable of achieving.

And just like that, we wrapped up our final Speech and Debate Learning Retreat of the summer in beautiful Pensacola Beach! Northwest Florida brought incredible energy to close out this year's series. At each retreat these coaches arrived curious and left confident, equipped with practical tools, a solid network, and a real vision for their programs. Thank you, to every educator who joined us across all four retreats this summer.

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Our Why 🩵

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